Ukamaku is an online fashion store and community. A platform for new fashion designers and small fashion retailers providing a diverse collection of women and men's fashion accessories. Based in Toronto, Canada, Ukamaku promotes new local fashion designers and small fashion retailers in Toronto, in Canada and worldwide. Ukamaku connects fashion designers with customers through the social media and an online fashion marketplace. Form high-end fashion wear to casual wear, Ukamaku it not just a store. Ukamaku is a fashion network and a fashion community. (Ukamaku) Ukamaku's target customers are both women and men and ages between 18 to 35.
The reason why i chose Ukamaku for my project is because I am interested in Canadian fashion designers' brands. At first, I did not know what Ukamaku was and many people still would not recognize what kind of business they run. Since Ukamaku launched their business only 2 years ago, people are unfamiliar with their business yet. Also, there are not many online ads for their business currently. Therefore, I thought Ukamaku would be a good business example for my project. I sent an email to Ukamaku and asked for a permission in order to design the online ads. They allowed me to work on my project.
First of all, I decided to use their original logo for my banners (Figure 1). I did not want to redesign Ukamaku's logo because it's a symbol and a trademark for their business already. Thus, for my banner, I added the actual images of their products only. I displayed the images of men and women's clothes to let customers know Ukamaku sells clothing for both genders. And then I added Ukamaku's business slogan on the flash banner (Figure 2). I created a small button ad to locate it on the facebook, twitter, and other types of social media as well (Figure 3).
Secondly, I created a skyscraper banner which displays more information about Ukamaku. I added several Canadian fashion brand logos that Ukamaku carries on their business. I thought it is a good idea to show different kinds of brand logos on the banner so that the customers know what to expect from Ukamaku (Figure 4). In order to keep the consistency between Ukamaku's other type of online ads, I used the same images of their products for my banners but these images could be replaced with their new arrivals from time to time.
To sum up, I found that this project was little challenging because I'm not a professional designer. Also, it was hard for me to decide which design is going to be effective for the online ad. I had to look at my designs very critically as if I'm the customer. And i had to consider to make it look attractive. I leant that simplicity is the best way for the design as long as it contains important messages to attract the target customers.
Online Ad Design
Due Feb 28, 2012
<Figure 1. Original logo from www.ukamaku.com >
<Figure 2. Flash Banner>
<Figure 3. Button Ad>
<Figure 4. Skyscraper Banner>
Ukamaku is an online fashion store and community. A platform for new fashion designers and small fashion retailers providing a diverse collection of women and men's fashion accessories. Based in Toronto, Canada, Ukamaku promotes new local fashion designers and small fashion retailers in Toronto, in Canada and worldwide. Ukamaku connects fashion designers with customers through the social media and an online fashion marketplace. Form high-end fashion wear to casual wear, Ukamaku it not just a store. Ukamaku is a fashion network and a fashion community. (Ukamaku) Ukamaku's target customers are both women and men and ages between 18 to 35.
The reason why i chose Ukamaku for my project is because I am interested in Canadian fashion designers' brands. At first, I did not know what Ukamaku was and many people still would not recognize what kind of business they run. Since Ukamaku launched their business only 2 years ago, people are unfamiliar with their business yet. Also, there are not many online ads for their business currently. Therefore, I thought Ukamaku would be a good business example for my project. I sent an email to Ukamaku and asked for a permission in order to design the online ads. They allowed me to work on my project.
First of all, I decided to use their original logo for my banners (Figure 1). I did not want to redesign Ukamaku's logo because it's a symbol and a trademark for their business already. Thus, for my banner, I added the actual images of their products only. I displayed the images of men and women's clothes to let customers know Ukamaku sells clothing for both genders. And then I added Ukamaku's business slogan on the flash banner (Figure 2). I created a small button ad to locate it on the facebook, twitter, and other types of social media as well (Figure 3).
Secondly, I created a skyscraper banner which displays more information about Ukamaku. I added several Canadian fashion brand logos that Ukamaku carries on their business. I thought it is a good idea to show different kinds of brand logos on the banner so that the customers know what to expect from Ukamaku (Figure 4). In order to keep the consistency between Ukamaku's other type of online ads, I used the same images of their products for my banners but these images could be replaced with their new arrivals from time to time.
To sum up, I found that this project was little challenging because I'm not a professional designer. Also, it was hard for me to decide which design is going to be effective for the online ad. I had to look at my designs very critically as if I'm the customer. And i had to consider to make it look attractive. I leant that simplicity is the best way for the design as long as it contains important messages to attract the target customers.